10 things Texas fans may not know about new AD Steve Patterson

This Story is About...

Share This Story On...

/.
How much do you know about incoming Texas athletic director Steve Patterson? Texas blogger Chris Hummer has 10 things you may want to know about the new leader of one of the most prestigious athletic departments in the nation:

Share This Photo On...

/Carlos Chavez - Carlos Chavez/The Republic.
1. Patterson hasn’t been an AD for long: The Longhorns new AD doesn’t have a ton of experience in his position. Arizona State hired him in March of 2012 as its athletic director, his first experience in the role.

Share This Photo On...

/Vernon Bryant - Staff Photographer.
2. He’s the former president of the Portland Trailblazers: Patterson may not have been in the AD role for long, but he has plenty of professional sports experience. Patterson served as the Trailblazers president from 2003-2007, and was responsible for all team business and basketball operations. He also served as the team’s GM during his tenure, acquiring three-time NBA All Star Brandon Roy and former Longhorn LaMarcus Aldridge.

Share This Photo On...

/STAN GROSSFELD - NYT.
3. Houston Texans: Prior to his time with Portland, Patterson helped institute a professional football franchise back in Houston, serving as the Texans’ Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer from 1997-2003.
In his role he helped bring Super Bowl XXXVIII to Houston as a host, build Reliant Stadium and establish the team’s business operations.

Share This Photo On...

/DAVID J. PHILLIP - AP.
4. Houston Rockets: From 1989-1993 Patterson served as the Houston Rockets general manager. He left before the Rockets won the franchise’s first NBA championship in 1994. But he was the architect of the roster, acquiring or drafting nearly every player on the 1993-94 team.

Share This Photo On...

/CRAIG H. HARTLEY - AP.
5. He has hockey experience too: Before taking his job with the Texans, Patterson served as President and General Manager of the International Hockey League’s Houston Aeros. In 1995, the IHL named Patterson its Executive of the Year.

Share This Photo On...

/Rob Schumacher - Rob Schumacher/The Republic.
6. Athletics Administration Experience: Patterson will handle the largest athletics budget in the FBS at Texas, and he has plenty of experience running the business aspect of a large collegiate program.
Before Arizona State hired him as AD, Patterson served as the school’s Chief Operating Officer for Sun Devil Athletics and Managing Director of Sun Devil Sports Group. In those roles he managed the athletic department’s business operations. His projects included finding a new site for a baseball complex and renovations to the school’s football stadium.

Share This Photo On...

/Special: Phillippe Diederich - Digital File.
7. Pro Sports Consulting: Before he arrived at Arizona State Patterson served as President of Pro Sports Consulting. Pro Sports Consulting helps companies, universities and individuals acquire sports facilities or properties.
This will serve him well at UT, where the school is constantly expanding and renovating its athletic facilities.

Share This Photo On...

/Bob Levey - Getty Images.
8. From Candidate to Hired in two days: West Virginia AD Oliver Luck was long rumored to be the favorite for Texas’ AD position, but Patterson impressed Texas’ search committee enough to offer him the job quickly. Big 12 insider Chuck Carlton tweeted earlier Tuesday: “Steve Patterson went from candidate to frontrunner to new AD at Texas in about 2 days, source confirms. Great interview I’m told.”

Share This Photo On...

/David Woo - 91112.
9. He was almost the Mavericks GM: After Norm Sonju (pictured) retired in 1996 the Mavericks searched for a new GM, interviewing a number of impressive candidates, including Mitch Kupchak, John Nash, Dave Wohl and Steve Patterson.
The Mavericks eventually hired from within, as new owner Ross Perot Jr. elevated Keith Grant. Soon after, Patterson moved on to take a job with the Texans.

Share This Photo On...

/MARSHA MILLER - AP.
10. Strong Texas ties: Patterson attended the University of Texas an undergrad, earning a degree in Business Administration in 1980. Four years later, Patterson graduated from Texas Law school. Patterson’s son Austin currently attends the university.